Photographic-printing machine



Jan. 9, 1924. 1,479,959

H. B. EVANS PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESSES: INVENTOR 9 5317061 5 gamed/g BY @XJWM Jan. 8, 1924. 1,479,959

H. B. EVANS PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES: fl l f g sz:

WM ATTORNEYS.

kakee and State of Illinois,

Patented Jan. 8, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,479,959 PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY B. EVANS, OI? KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO EASTMAN KODAK COM- PANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YDRK.

PHOTOGRAPHIC-PRINTING MACHINE.

Application filed November 22, 1920. Serial a... 425,796.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, HENRY'B. EVANS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Kankakee, in the county of Kanhave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Photographic-Printing Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to photography, and more particularly to photographic printing machines, and it has for its object to provide a compact, simple, durableand efiicient machine for making prints from either glass orfilm negatives. For these ends the improvements are directed particularly to means for securing proper contact between the paper and negative to means for securing such contact regardless of the thickness of the negative and paper; to means for numbering the prlnts as they are made;v

to means for inking the numbering stamp, to means for operating the platen; and to means for keeping the platen parallel to the printing panel. My invention is directed to these and other objects, and resides in cer-.

'tain improvements and combinations of parts, all as Will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features out in the claims at the end cation.

In the drawings, in which like reference characters denote like parts 2 Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed in accordancewith, and illustrating, one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of thesame machine;

Fig. 3 is a section along line 3-3, Fig. 2,

of the specifithe platen being in a different position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail of the switch mechanism partly in section, and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a part of the switch mechanism.

In the drawings, I have shown my printer mounted on a base or support 1, which can be placed upon any suitable stand or table. Arms 2 extending up from the sides of the base provide bearings upon which the platen is mounted. The base is recessed across the top at 3 to receive a pane of glass 4, which is also supported in a rabbet 5 cut in the block 6, which is carried by base 1.

To mask prints to the desired size, I use sliding masking members 7 and 8. A central portion of the base 1 and of the block being pointed contacts at once,

6 is slotted at 8 to receive these masking members. Mask 7 is turned about a rod 9 supported on the end of base 1 upon brackets 10 and 11. Similarly a rod 12 is used as a slideway for mask 8, brackets ,12' and 13 being attached to the side of base 1. Rods 9 and 12 may be suitably graduated, if desired into the standard sizes for prints, but as it is often preferable to mask each negative individually, such graduations are not necessary.

The platen, designated of my machine moves into an operative and inoperative position, the former being illustrated in Fig. 1, and the latter in Fig. 2. Parallel links 15 and 16 attached to the platen by pivots 17 and 18, and to the arms 2by pivots 19 and 20, form a swinging hinge for the platen. The handle 21 resembles a yoke, the sides 22 and 23 of which form a second set of parallel links pivoted tothe platen at 24 and 25 and to arms 2 at 26 and 27. This mechanism causes the platen to move so that the cushion 28, which presses the paper and negative upon the glass 4, will always remain parallel to the glass, the links remaining parallelto each other. This movement has many advantages, one of which is that a sheet of paper is not moved or displaced by the platen comin into sliding engagement therewith, for with the parallel link movement the platen descends upon the paper so that the entire surface the pressure being even all over the surface. If the negative is of thick glass, this still holds true. Variations in the thickness of the negative and paper are antomatically cared. for in this way. In the present instance the cushion 28 is fastened to a metal plate 29, to which a block 30 is attached, which in turn supports the casting 31. This latter part forms the bearings for the parallel link pivots described above. The distance between the pivotal' points of each of the four links is necessarily the same, and this distance is preferably at least as great as half the width of the platen, in order that when the platen is moved to an inoperative position, the latter 'Wlll be entirely clear of the printing window, permitting the unhampered handling of masks, negative and paper.

In order to keep the platen cushion 28 clean when not in operative position, and

111011181 to form a. soft pad upon which generally as 14,

the platen cushion rests, I use a heavy cushion 32 fastened to the end of block 6, preferably using thick felt or other soft material. llt should also be notedthat l have illustrated cushion 32 as being considerably higher than the glass 4, so 'thatthe movement past the center of gravity (position shown in Fig. 3) is such that a much'shorter stroke is necessary than wouldbe the case if cushion 32 were in the same plane as the glass 4. The surface 32 upon which the platen rests when. in inoperative position is obviously parallel to the printing window. The platen 14 is made of substantial materials, and its weight is alone sufficient to hold the paper and negative firmly against the glass without the operator using pressure upon handle 21. No lock or fastening device is, therefore, needed with this device, and springs are also eliminated.

Each print is numbered on the back with an order number or a serial number by the stamp 35, which is permanently afiixed to a yoke 36 by bolts 37 the yoke being screwed at 38 to plate 29. The stamp itself may be of any of the well known varieties, but it have illustrated it as one having a lever 39 extending up through a slot 40 in yoke 36, by which it may be manually actuated, a forward movement of the lever advancing the stamp one number. ,The platen moves parallel to the glass at alltimes, as before described, this movement being utilized to ink the stamp. An ink pad 41 is sunk slightly in an aperture 42 of cushion 32, so that each time the platen is moved to its inoperative position, the stamp will rest upon the ink pad. As the stamp is iovaly secured to the platen, a serviceable and rigid structure can be obtained, no movement of the stamp relative to the platen for inking being necessary.

It is to be noted thatwhile the numbers or other characters on the stamps may be changed at the. will of the operator, they are not automatically changed. Moreover, since the platen remains in all. positions parallel to the printing window, the same under surface rests oaths-surface 32 that rests on the window or printing paper. The operative characters ofthe stamp which are substantiallyflush with. this under surface do not, therefore, have to be moved with respect tothe platen in order to be brought into contact with the ink pad 41;- but remain in the same position relative thereto, regardless of the position of the platen.

The lamp 49 for furnishing printing light is preferably carried in a suitable reflecting housing 50, which is attached to block 6. A diffusing glass 52 of ground or opal glass maybe used if desired. This lamp is lighted each time theplaten comes to rest in a printin position by means of an automatic switch, designated generally' as 60. 'lermiget out of neraeea nals 61 and 62 are connected to lamp 49 by wires 63 and 64, one of the wires being connected to a suitable source of power, not shown. Terminal .62 has afiixed thereto a spring arm 65 which normally tends to rotate in the direction of the arrow in Fig.

5, where it is shown pressed against the terminal 61, closing the circuit. A lever 70, fulcrumed at 7-1 to base 1, has a hook 72 which engages spring arm 65. The other end 73 of lever projects into the path of an extension 74 of part of the parallel link 22, there being a hook 75 which engages this extension. Each time, therefore, that the platen is moved to the position shown in Fig. 1, the switch is closed whereas when it is moved from that position, book 72 will move to position shown in Fig. 4, spring arm 65 automatically breaking the circuit.

The operation of my machine is as follows: A negative Nv (Fig. 1) is laid upon the glass and masked with arms 7 and 8. A sheet of photographically sensitive paper P is then slid in place,'and the platen is moved into position after the numbering stamp has been properly set. If a prolonged.

exposure is made, the operator may remove his hand from the handle 21, the weight of the platen keeping the paper and negative in proper registration and contact. Afterthe exposure is made, the handle is moved back until the platen is seated on cushion 32, where the stamp is also in contact with ink pad 41. The number can then be changed by moving lever 39, or the same number can be repeated at will without further adjustments.

It is evident from the above disclosure that l have invented av photographic printing machine which is operated with the greatest ease, hasbut few moving parts to 7 order, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. It is obvious that the number of links is immaterial, that the design of the baseor support may be varied within wide limits, and that numerous modi fications may be made. and l contemplate as within the scope of my invention, as defined in the following claims. all such substitutions and mechanical equivalents.

Having thus described my invention, whatl claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a photographic printing machine. a fixed support. a light transmitting-printing window insaid support, a source of light behind said window. a platen having an extended smooth, yielding bearing surface. links pivoted to each side of the platen and to the support, said links being of equal length between their pivotal points, whereby the platen is maintained always parallel to said window, and the links are always parallel to each other.

2. In a photographic printing machine having a support, a printing window, an electric lamp beneath said window, a platen, a plurality of links each pivoted to the platen and also to the support, whereby the platen may be swung to and from the printing window, one of said links being continued to form a switch element, a (-o-operat ing switch element support in a position to be contacted by the first mentioned switch element when the platen is over the window and an electric circuit including said lamp and 'said switch elements.

3. In a photographic printing machine, a support, a printing window, an electric lamp behind said window, a platen, links each pivoted to the platen and to the support, one of said links bein continued beyond its pivotal connection to t e platen to constitute an operating handle and one of said links continued beyond its pivotal connection to the support to constitute a switch element, a cooperating switch element on the support, and an electric circuit including the lamp and the switch elements.

a. In a photographic printing machine, a support having a printing area, a platen,

' with an extended, smooth, yieldin'g pressure surface, a fixed inking pad, connections be tween the platen and the support whereby the platen may be moved from a position over the printing area to a position over said pad, a stamp carried by said platen and having characters maintained in the same relative position to the platen in all positions of the platen, said characters contact ing the pad in one position of the platen and adapted to bear against a small portion only of the printing area in another position thereof.

5. In a photographic printing machine, a

. fixed support, a platen with an extended,

smooth, yielding pressure surface, a printing window, a surface for supporting the platen in inoperative position, means connecting the platen to the support for movement between the window and the surface and maintaining said platen always parallel to the window, an inking pad on said sur- 6. In a printing machine, a support, a light-transmitting printing window, asource of light behind said window, a platen, a surface for supporting said platen having an extended, smooth, yielding pressure surface in inoperative position, a plurality of pairs of links each link pivoted to the platen and to the support, said links being of equal length between their pivotal points, such length being at least half the width of the platen, whereby the platen may be swung from the window to the surface and maintained in all positions parallel to the window, the extent of movement being such as to remove the platen entirely from above the window.

7 A photographic printing machine having a horizontal printing window, an electric lamp beneath said window, an ink pad at one side of said window, ears on each side of the machine and extending above said window, a platen, .links pivoted to the ears and to the platen, the pivots of each link being equally spaced, the platen being adapted to be swung on the links between a terminal position over the window and a terminal position over the pad, and being horizontal in all positions, a numbering stamp carried by the platen with the operative members substantially flush with the under surface thereof, the stamp being positioned against the pad when the platen is in one terminal position and against the window when the platen is in the other position, one of said links being contained in one direction to constitute an operating handle, and in the other direction to constitute a switch member, a co-operating switch member on the machine, an electric circuit including said lamp and switch members and closed when the platen is over the printing window.

8. In a photographic printing machine, a support having a horizontal printing win dow, a plane surface for supporting a platen in inoperative position, said surface being above and entirely to one side of said printing window and parallel thereto, a platen, and means connecting said platen and said support, whereby the platen will be maintained always parallel to the window and may be moved between terminal positions above the window and on the surface, an electric lamp behind said window, and a switch in circuit with'said lamp and con trolled by the movement of the platen.

Signed at Rochester, New York, this 10th day of November, 1920.

HENRY B. EVANS. 

